Franchise Flashback: “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”

For the 35th anniversary of “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” I have been going through the franchise and have recently revisited the first two installments. Now, for this week, I revisited the 2003 sequel, “Rise of the Machines” - and from here on out, the remaining three movies will be first time watches for me.

Now 25, John Connor lives with no record of his existence - no way he can be traced by Skynet. Out of the shadows of the future steps the T-X, Skynet’s most sophisticated killing machine yet.

Now, Connor’s only hope for survival is the Terminator, his mysterious former assassin. Together they must triumph over the technologically superior T-X and forestall the looming threat of Judgment Day.

Before getting into the review, a quick heads up: I will be talking about the ending of this movie in this review so I will be getting into spoiler territory! “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” is a highly entertaining, fast-paced movie that delivers some really good action, even if it lacks the intense emotional depth of James Cameron’s first two films.

The high-octane destruction that we see from the movie’s action sequences is easily the biggest highlight of this third installment. The standout sequence of the movie involves a massive mobile crane tearing through the city streets. This scene is easily one of the best because it heavily relies on incredible practical stunt work and real physical destruction rather than just CGI, making it one of the best chases in the franchise (well that I have seen so far).

While the antagonist in “T2” was really intimidating and intense, Kristanna Loken’s T-X gave the franchise a unique female villain equipped with built-in plasma weaponry, control over other machinery, and a combination of endoskeleton structure with liquid metal. Just like the previous villain, the T-X also has a rather aggressive, methodical presence and is almost just as intimidating.

The only thing that really took me out of “Rise of the Machines” is the movie’s humor as it gives the humorous bits of the movie an overly campy vibe and is a major distraction from the franchise’s established sci-fi thriller tone. Well, at least in “Rise of the Machines,” we get to hear the Terminator say “talk to the hand.”

SPOILER TERRITORY! This movie’s dark ending is easily one of the best moments of the franchise for sure! Instead of stopping Judgment Day again, John Connor and Kate Brewster realize they were sent to a fallout shelter (Crystal Peak) to survive, not to shut down Skynet.

The grim reveal that Judgment Day is inevitable - punctuated by nuclear missiles launching across the globe - gave this movie a bold narrative payoff that easily subverts the typical Hollywood ending.

The overall audience response to “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” is generally mixed to lower-tier compared to the first two films, though it has gained modest retrospective appreciation over time. While it performed well at the box office, fans were initially disappointed by its campy tone, narrative rehash, and departure from James Cameron’s style.

MPA: Rated R for strong sci-fi violence and action, and for language and brief nudity   (runtime 109 minutes)

Initial release date: July 2, 2003

Streaming services: Tubi/various PVOD services   (as of working on this review)

https://youtu.be/5UgPJhyJmlM?si=35Zw-RdbS2IKHSup

• The studios had long wanted to make a sequel to the previous Terminator films, but for a long time Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to do it unless James Cameron was directing. Cameron eventually told his friend to "just do it and ask for a shit-load of money," reasoning that the character was as much Schwarzenegger's as it was his. Schwarzenegger confirmed this in a talk-show interview, saying that when he asked, Cameron told him to "take the money and run".

• Edward Furlong was originally supposed to reprise his role as John Connor. However, in December 2001, it was reported that he had been dropped from the film, allegedly due to a substance abuse problem. He was replaced by Nick Stahl shortly before filming began in April 2002. He later said, "It's the growing pains of me. I was part of the project and had a very nice deal but then I guess to celebrate I went out and overdosed on coke and kind of destroyed that whole thing. But I learned my lesson and I'm back on track."

• (at around 42 mins) The gas station at which the Terminator stops for refueling is the same gas station seen in all three Terminator movies. In The Terminator (1984) it was shown at the end where the pregnant Sarah stops before driving to the Mojave Desert. In Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) it is where Sarah camps in for the night after she escapes from the hospital.

• Arnold Schwarzenegger would not play the Terminator again until Terminator Genisys (2015). Due to serving as the Governor of California, he was unavailable to appear in the following film Terminator Salvation (2009), where he was replaced by a CGI double with his likeness being animated over Austrian bodybuilder and actor Roland Kickinger.

• Arnold Schwarzenegger would not play the Terminator again until Terminator Genisys (2015). Due to serving as the Governor of California, he was unavailable to appear in the following film Terminator Salvation (2009), where he was replaced by a CGI double with his likeness being animated over Austrian bodybuilder and actor Roland Kickinger.

• Arnold Schwarzenegger would not play the Terminator again until Terminator Genisys (2015).

• As with every Terminator film, the Terminator's left leg is damaged in some way, and it loses an eye.